For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADVERTISING. The use of any structure, placard, wall, banner, balloon, or other device or structure or part thereof, and which forms, or on which is located, graphics, symbols, lights, words and/or numbers intended to convey information to the public, and which announces, notifies, or promotes a person, organization, company, church, club, lodge, group, establishment, structure, product, goods or services. The expression of an opinion which does not announce, notify, or promote as outlined above, and which otherwise does not break any laws, is not advertising.
A-FRAME SIGN. An unlighted freestanding sign in the shape of an inverted-V, having a maximum sign face area of eight square feet.
ABANDONED SIGN. A sign or sign structure on a site where all buildings have been demolished or removed.
AWNING SIGN. A sign that is mounted, painted, or otherwise applied on or attached to an awning or other fabric, plastic, or structural protective cover over a door, entrance, or window of a building.
BANNER. A temporary advertising sign of lightweight fabric, plastic or similar material, which is not more than 32 feet in sign face area, and which is mounted flush on a building or mounted between two points.
CHANGEABLE COPY SIGN. A sign or portion thereof designed to accommodate frequent message changes composed of characters, letters, or illustrations and that can be changed or rearranged, either manually or electronically, without altering the face or surface of such sign.
FREESTANDING SIGN. A lighted or unlighted permanent sign that is anchored to or into the ground, and which is not supported by or attached to any structure other than its own support structure. Includes monument and pole signs.
GOVERNMENT SIGN. A sign erected and maintained by or on behalf of the federal, state, county, or town governments for the purpose of regulating traffic or for civic purposes.
ILLUMINATED SIGN. A sign characterized by the use of artificial light, either projecting through its surface(s) (internally illuminated), including neon signs; or reflecting off its surface(s) (externally illuminated).
INFLATABLE SIGN. Any object enlarged or inflated which floats, is tethered in the air, is activated by air or moving gas, or is located on the ground or on a building with or without copy or other graphic.
INFORMATION SIGN. Any on-premise sign which directs or regulates pedestrians or vehicle traffic within private property and includes information of a general directive or informational nature such as no parking, entrance and exit drives, loading area, self-service, and rest rooms; which bears no advertising matter, and does not exceed four square feet of sign area per face.
LIGHT TRESPASS. Light spill falling over property lines that illuminates adjacent grounds or buildings in an objectionable manner.
MONUMENT SIGN. A freestanding sign where the base of the sign structure is on the ground or a maximum of 12 inches above the adjacent grade.
MULTI-TENANT SIGN. A sign that serves as a common or collective identification for two or more uses on the same premises.
NON-COMMERCIAL OPINION SIGN. A sign, which does not advertise products, goods, businesses, or services and which expresses an opinion or point of view, such as a political, religious, or other ideological sentiment or support or opposition to a candidate or proposition for a public election. A sign which meets the definition of an on-premise sign, an off-premise sign, and/or an advertising sign, shall not be considered a noncommercial opinion sign.
OFF-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN. A sign, which announces, notifies, or advertises goods or services which are not located on the same property on which the sign is located.
ON-PREMISES ADVERTISING SIGN. A lighted or unlighted permanent sign located on the property on which an organization, or business is located.
POLE SIGN. A sign that is mounted on a freestanding pole or other support so that the bottom edge of the sign face is nine feet or more above grade.
PORTABLE SIGN. A sign whose principal supporting structure is intended, by design and construction, to be used by resting upon the ground for support and may be easily moved or relocated for reuse. PORTABLE SIGNS shall include, but are not limited to, signs mounted upon a trailer, bench, wheeled carrier, or other non-motorized mobile structure with or without wheels.
PROJECTING SIGN. A lighted or unlighted permanent sign which is attached only to a building and projects at least six inches but not more than six feet from the face of the building. A PROJECTING SIGN shall not be supported by any posts or other support structure other than those devices which connect the sign to the building.
ROOF. A horizontal or sloping surface of a building which serves as a cover for the building or its entry, portico or other appurtenances. This definition shall include any part of a building which resembles a roof in form or function.
ROOF SIGN. A permanent sign painted on, supported by or attached to the roof or roof structure of a building. This definition shall not include a sign attached flat against the wall of a penthouse, or other integral part of a building, which projects above the main roof.
SIGN. Any device (including but not limited to letters, words, numerals, figures, emblems, pictures, or any part or combination) used for visual communication intended to attract the attention of the public and visible to the public right-of-way or other properties.
SIGN FACE AREA. The area of the sign used for displaying the symbols, words or numbers used to convey a message. In determining the area of the sign face, the smallest area described by a rectangle that completely encloses the message and symbols shall be used. A two-faced sign where the faces are parallel, or nearly parallel, and where the back of each face is separated from the back of the other by not more than 12 inches shall be treated as one sign face for purposes of calculating sign face area.
TEMPORARY SIGN.
(1) An unlighted sign intended to display either commercial or noncommercial messages of a transitory or temporary nature.
(2) Temporary sign amortization period. Temporary signs which do not conform to this subchapter, shall, within 30 days after the effective date of this section, be removed or made to conform.
UTILITY LOCATION MARKERS. Markers installed by public utility organizations to identify the locations of gas, water, wastewater and electric valves, lines and other components of the system.
WALL SIGN.
(1) A sign attached parallel to a wall or painted on a wall, with no part of the sign extending more than six inches from the face of the wall, nor extending beyond the side or top of the wall to which the sign is attached.
(2) Windows are not calculated into the total area of a wall for purposes of calculating total sign face area.
WINDOW SIGN. A sign affixed or painted to the interior or exterior surface of a window with its message intended to be visible to and readable from the public way or from adjacent property. A sign attached to a window, but not projecting from or exceeding the frame limits of the window.
(Ord. 03-05, § 832-10, passed 5-27-2003; Am. Ord. 10-07, passed 5-24-2010; Am. Ord. 2017-06, passed 6-12-2017)